The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week
Life Is Good ‘dynamite’ in final work for Dubai World Cup
USA: World #1 Life Is Good heads to Dubai at the head of a likely 14-strong US team for the World Cup meeting at Meydan on Saturday week [March 26].
According to the Daily Racing Form, the Pegasus World Cup winner delighted trainer Todd Pletcher in his final serious workout before boarding the plane. “Dynamite, super … it was kind of a ‘wow’ breeze,” he said.
Life Is Good will fly on Monday alongside stablemate Colonel Liam, set to run in the Dubai Turf. The US team for the $12m main event, is completed by Hot Rod Charlie and Saudi Cup second and third Country Grammer and Midnight Bourbon. An 11-runner field also includes Chuwa Wizard, Magny Cours and Hypothetical – second, third and fourth in 2021.
A total of 32 G1 winners altogether appear in the probable fields for the nine-race card (including the Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians). A total of $30.5m prize-money is up for grabs.
Arlington Million carded for 2022 – at Churchill Downs
USA: Despite the controversial closure of Arlington Park, the now defunct Chicago venue’s signature venue will take place in 2022 – in Kentucky.
Kentucky Derby home Churchill Downs will host a one-day bonanza on August 13 featuring all four graded stakes from the Arlington Million card. As well as the $1m highlight, the G1 Beverly D, G2 Secretariat and G3 Pucker Up are scheduled for the Churchill turf.
Churchill Downs Inc. reached a purchase agreement last year with the NFL fanchise Chicago Bears to buy Arlington.
Artorius under consideration for Royal Ascot
Australia: G1-winning sprinter Artorius could be sent to Britain this summer to run at Royal Ascot and Newmarket’s July Festival.
The winner of the 2021 Blue Diamond Stakes was a strong-finishing sixth in the G1 Newmarket Handicap up the stands side of the Flemington track on Saturday, having crossed from the far side where 100-1 winner Roch ‘N’ Horse raced.
His co-trainer Sam Freedman told RSN 927: “We’re just in discussions with the ownership group, there’s a bit of thought that we may take him over to England for the Diamond Jubilee and a July Cup.”
Joe Bravo wins George Woolf Award
USA: Veteran jockey Joe Bravo is the 2022 winner of the George Woolf Award, the coveted accolade named after the rider of Seabiscuit which is decided by a nationwide vote of riders.
The 50-year-old known as ‘Jersey Joe’, became the dominant rider across the Mid-Atlantic area, particularly at Monmouth Park where he won 13 riding titles, from the 1990s until last year when he moved to California.
Michael Costa appointed private trainer to Sheikh Ahmed
UAE: Michael Costa, a leading trainer in Queensland, is relocating to Dubai after accepting an offer to become Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s private trainer at Jebel Ali, replacing Nicholas Bachalard.
Ellerslie closed for 18 months
New Zealand: Ellerslie, New Zealand’s premier racecourse, has staged its last meeting for at least 18 months while work is carried out on the installation of a new turf track at the home of the NZ Derby.
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing is working with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to redistribute its feature meetings to alternative venues. Boxing Day racing will be held at Pukekohe and New Year’s Day will be at Te Rapa.
Elsewhere in racing …
France: Andre Fabre and Olivier Peslier reunited More here
Australia: Jamie Kah five-timer on return to Adelaide More here
Hong Kong: California Sparkle and Romantic Warrior head Sunday's HK Derby More here
USA: Breeders' Cup filly Echo Zulu to return in Fair Grounds Oaks More here
What’s been happening: Kentucky Derby latest, Lemaire's Covid, Mishriff misses Dubai and more …
What’s been happening: Dubai latest, big Covid fines in HK, Guineas entries and more …
What’s been happening: 14-month ban for Oisin Murphy, Medina Spirit's Kentucky Derby DQ and more …